Altec 600B (1940s)

Name: Altec 600B
Brand: Altec

At 12", it commands presence—not with brute force, but with the quiet authority of early cinema sound reborn.

Overview

The Altec 600B isn't a modern reissue, a boutique homage, or a component salvaged from a forgotten PA stack. It’s a full-range 12" DiaCone driver, forged in the 1940s, rooted in the lineage of Lansing’s earliest cinema speakers and bearing the DNA of a pre-Altec era when Jensen and Stephens were shaping the language of American loudspeaker design. Marketed as a Lansing cinema driver before Altec fully absorbed that legacy, the 600B emerged during a transitional moment—when compression driver expertise from Western Electric’s WE 594 and 287 designs began influencing cone speaker engineering. This wasn't built for high excursion or thunderous bass; it was engineered for clarity, speed, and fidelity in environments where dialogue and orchestral balance mattered more than volume.

Owners report it as a lower-excursion driver, which translates to fast, crisp, and detailed transient response—a characteristic prized in studio monitoring and theater applications of the time. Despite its age, units that have been properly maintained or reconed (some with an EV 150 Watt Kit) remain functional, with at least one verified pair from 1953 described as “mint, fully tested.” The driver’s construction reflects its era: a fabric surround, original Altec 20444 cone, and a notably hard edge treatment—distinct from later Altec models, and more akin to what Stephens and Lansing used in the 1940s. Some early 1950s examples exhibit sticky “Goop” on the edges, a known degradation issue tied to the surround material.

Though it lacks the power handling of later Altec designs like the 604 or A-7, the 600B represents a brief chapter in the company’s evolution—one focused on precision over projection. It was quickly superseded as Altec pivoted toward high-powered, full-excursion speakers in the 1960s and beyond. Today, it survives not as a mainstream relic, but as a niche artifact for restorers and vintage audio specialists.

Specifications

Manufacturer	Altec
Product type	12" DiaCone full range Lansing cinema driver / full range 12" speaker
Driver/Cone size	12″
Nominal impedance	8 ohm
Voice coil diameter	3"
Cone trimmed height	2.5"
Surround type	Fabric
Frequency response	Nice and smooth up to about 800 cycles

Key Features

12" DiaCone Full Range Design

Unlike multi-way systems that split frequencies across drivers, the 600B relies on a single full-range cone to reproduce audio—a design philosophy rooted in simplicity and phase coherence. The DiaCone geometry, a term associated with Lansing’s early engineering, contributes to even dispersion and reduced breakup modes. This makes it particularly effective in midrange clarity, which explains its original use in cinema sound where vocal intelligibility was paramount.

Original Altec 20444 Cone with Hard Edge Treatment

The cone itself is stamped as an Altec 20444, a part number tied to original production runs. More notable is the edge treatment: described as significantly harder than what Altec later adopted. This stiffer surround limits excursion but enhances control, contributing to the driver’s fast, crisp action. It also reflects a manufacturing approach shared with 1940s Stephens and Lansing drivers, suggesting a shared supplier or design influence during that era.

3" Voice Coil with Fabric Surround

A 3" voice coil was unusually large for its time, especially in a full-range driver. Paired with an 8 ohm nominal impedance, it suggests compatibility with tube amplifiers of moderate output. The fabric surround, while prone to long-term degradation (notably the sticky “Goop” observed on some early 1950s units), was standard for the period and contributes to a smooth rolloff rather than abrupt mechanical limits.

Lower Excursion, High Detail Character

Engineered for precision rather than power, the 600B operates with limited cone movement. This lower excursion design avoids the distortion associated with large piston motion, resulting in a detailed, articulate presentation. One owner noted that even with low-power amplification, the driver “jumped to life” and filled a room with clean sound, showing no rattles or anomalies during testing.

Historical Context

The Altec 600B emerged from a pivotal moment in American audio history—the early 1940s—when Altec was integrating the legacy of Lansing Manufacturing into its product line. It draws clear inspiration from Jensen’s earliest full-range offerings and Lansing’s own cinema drivers, but with a twist: input from Altec’s experience with Western Electric compression drivers like the WE 594 and 287. This cross-pollination of technologies resulted in a speaker that prioritized fidelity and speed over raw output. However, Altec’s focus soon shifted toward high-powered, full-excursion designs in the 1960s, making the 600B a short-lived type in their catalog—a bridge between eras rather than a long-term staple.

Collectibility & Value

The Altec 600B is currently traded as a vintage or used item, often noted as reconed—particularly with the EV 150 Watt Kit, which may improve durability but alters originality. A pair from 1953 was documented as “mint, fully tested,” suggesting functional survivors do exist. Listings on platforms like Reverb describe units as “1950's HOLLYWOOD ERA Vintage,” emphasizing their cinematic pedigree. However, no market prices, original pricing data, or detailed maintenance guidance are available. One documented failure mode involves the loss of edge compliance—where degraded surround material leads to complete loss of bass response—highlighting the fragility of long-term preservation.

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